Question

Explain how you would solve the following expressions as movements on a number line 7 - (-10) -12? a) Start at 7 and move to the right by 10 units, then move to the left by 12 units.

b) Start at 7 and move to the left by 10 units, then move to the right by 12 units.
c) Start at 7 and move to the right by 10 units, then move to the right by 12 units.
d) Start at 7 and move to the left by 10 units, then move to the left by 12 units.

Answer 1

The expression 7 - (-10) -12 is solved on a number line by starting at 7, moving right by 10 units, and then left by 12 units, ending at position 5.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the expression 7 - (-10) -12 as movements on a number line, you should start at the position marked 7. Since subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart, you subtract -10 by moving to the right by 10 units. This results in you being at position 17. From position 17, you subtract 12 by moving to the left by 12 units. This brings you to the final position of 5.

The correct representation of this on a number line is option (a): Start at 7 and move to the right by 10 units, then move to the left by 12 units.